Suggestion for B/W Photo Editing

**handrawn** · 15 May 2007, 06:38 PM

yes I was sure it was tongue - possibly about to stick it out, or thinking about it
kids same everywhere

The difference in the eyes of these two is quite striking - one cheeky and the other quite the opposite.

**Soquili** · 15 May 2007, 07:28 PM

Hello Paul,

I had recently downloaded a new program (for me) from MAGIX. It is their Photo Clinic 6 program.

As a learning exercise I opened the photo of the two girls and selected the Remove Scratches and Stains under the Tasks menu > Detailed Image Editing.

Using the default settings, being a total newbie with the application. I was able to achieve very good results in just a few minutes.

**handrawn** · 15 May 2007, 08:14 PM

Good results you got there Bill - like the contrast
MPC6 is certainly easier to learn than PS6 or gimp for that matter

**Soquili** · 15 May 2007, 08:35 PM

Thanks Steve, it was very easy to get good results.

I've attempted the same type of photo repair using PS7 & CS, and PSP7 & 8 and always end up destroying too much detail.

**Mike Bailey** · 16 May 2007, 05:05 AM

Photoshop 6, dust and scratches filter.

**handrawn** · 16 May 2007, 08:28 AM

I have PS6 Mike - and I dislike the dust and scratches filter because it applies the effect in one go to the whole image/area.
Like Bill, I've never got this to work reliably.
On some images it can be very tiresome, so I have tended to do it on the fly locally spot by spot, and on the whole found it quicker with more control.
MPC6 gives you this local control too.

Seems like you had no problems with this image though

and I have never had to do dozens of the things in one go

**Mike Bailey** · 16 May 2007, 10:18 AM

I have PS6 Mike - and I dislike the dust and scratches filter because it applies the effect in one go to the whole image/area.

Yes, the whole image is effected unless you have made a selection to isolate some part of it. It took about 30 seconds to do this one, preview on, I adjust the radius and threshold until the garbage disappears, click OK.

There are times when I prefer to manually edit the image as well, this wasn't one of those times.

**Soquili** · 16 May 2007, 12:23 PM

Mike you make things look so easy. Does Photoshop 7 have the same setup as version 6? Version 7 if the oldest I have.

**LonK** · 16 May 2007, 05:44 PM

Hi Phurm,

Firstly, let me say that the results you obtain are going to be commensurate with the amount of time you put into the restoration of each photo. There is no magic wand that works flawlessly repairing damage to a pile of different photos.

As far as software is concerned, PhotoShop is the industry best performer. There are a number of lesser priced editors that can be used to render excellent results once you master their tools and interfaces. To name just a few: Paint Shop Pro, Gimp (open source - free), PS Elements, PhotoImpact. One aspect of all of these is the ability to use third party filters (i.e. Photoshop plugins). A number of these have been noted by others. Some of these can be gotten for free, others cost.

The other situation you face per your example, is the texture of the prints you have. Like you figured, there are scanning techniques you can use to eliminate or substantially reduce the texture. There are also some plugins that do well with this task. There are also methods to reduce the silvering you are seeing.

The bottom line is, you will have to make an investment in money as well as time to properly restore your photos. Pro digital restoration artists spend many years learning their craft.

Good luck with your project. If your example is representation, there are some wonderful photos worthy of restoration.

I did a quick moderate restore to your photo with PhotoImpact.